Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-06-02
, Correspondence Of the Beacon.

NASHINDToN, May ~, 1901.
Messrs Editors-Recognizing the
difficulties that would be encountered
in attempting a detailed account Of the
great National Drill, even were the
space allotted me much greater than
that afforded by the columns OF a
newspaper, Will not attempt to dis
cuss the subject in detail. The gen.
tle,nen constituting the committee
which, a few months since, conceived
Of, and have since perfected and car
rled into execution, the details OF so
stupendous an undertaking as that in
VOWED in the bringing together in
friendly competition the representa-
tive military organizations of thirty
one States and Territories, may Justly
feel proud Of the SUGGEST of the under
taking.
--Ll.-.--I4-A4- -4aHF ..l4I.l ~ Tia Nash:
white tents, rendered brilliant hv the
varied uniforms ard resmentL colors
Of the various organizations repre-
scented, and the scene enlivened by
the strains OF martial music. serve to
recall the DAYS Of 1861 and -. when,
rs low, the streets OF the National
Capital echoed to the tread of march
ing regiments. From Oregon to
Maine and from Wisconsin to Texas.
nearly every state in the mon. sent
her quota to the Drill. and whatever
the decision Of the judges may be as
TO the relative merits Of the various
organizations, it may be truthtullv
said that without single exception,
every one Of the sixty companies
present at the Drill presented cred
ltab.e appearance both in camp and
upon the drill ground and the Nation
may he justly proud that in her citi-
zen soldiery she Possesses a standing
army which will compare favorably.
II not in point Of numbers, at least in
proficiency In military discipline. with
tie expensive standing armies Of for
eign nations.
The exhibition drills of the various
zouave companies Were. to the general
public, the most interesting Of all the
exhibitions given BY the visiting
companies. The manner in which the
various fancy movements. wheeling.
marching, bayonet and skirmish drills
were executed, Were wonderful. One
Of their feats-the sealing Of a fifteen
loot tence-was, perhaps, the most
difficult Yet attempted upon a drill
ground. AT the word Of command
they broke for the fence, rapidly
formed a pyramid, tossed up and
passed over their guns. and with cat
Ike agility followed themselves.
When but two men remained, and the
spectators Were guessing out a way of
saving them, one jumped upon the
shoulders of the other, thence to the
top Of the fence, and there turned
about and helped up his fellow.
On Wednesday evening the camp
was visited by the most severe thun-
der storm Of the season. but aside
from the overturning Of two or three
ct the tents which had not been pro-
ps:.y secured, and the consequent
drenohing Of the occupants, little
damage was done.
The President accompanied by Mrs.
Cleveland, Mr., and Mrs. Lamont. and
a party Of select friends, left Wash.
ngton on Thursday last for the
Adirondack region, where thry will
spend few days in recreation upcu
he shores of Saranac Lake. It is
that the President will re.
urn to Washington on the 9TH Of
Iune, and that he Will spend the
'ummer months at his country resi-
Ience. II.